A Fabulous, Besotted, Intoxicating Story

Disclaimer: Don't own Wolf or "The F.B.I. Story." Again, not quite canon. Again, the aftermath of watching a classic - this time "The F.B.I. Story" with James Stewart and Vera Miles. This time, a Joe/Alex pairing. Thanks, RRSherlock for the encouragement of this silly idea; Thanks, McCoylover for helping with the chapter chops, and many, many thanks, LOCI Girl for patiently beta-reading and editing it.

Chapter One

Joe Fontana caught up with the prosecutors as they exited the courthouse.

"So, I suppose you're going to have a fairly peaceful night's sleep, aren't ya, Mr. McCoy?"

Joe kept his gloved hands in his pockets, reminding himself of the dangers of punching a civil servant, reminding himself that it wasn't entirely the Irishman's fault that the case was bound for the crapper, reminding himself that it wasn't wrong to wish for law enforcement days where 'rules' didn't restrict righteous justice.

Jack McCoy pivoted, one hand carrying his satchel, his other hand bare and exposed to the cold winds. "The Feds claim this one, detective; it's out of my hands…for now. This is only one lost battle, not a lost war."

"If you say so," Joe said, an insincere smile on his lips, reminding himself why he hated this side of the streets sometimes.

Alexandra Borgia waited a moment or two, a silent exchange between the two working partners that didn't go unnoticed by the Italian.

"Detective Fontana," Alex began once Jack was out of earshot, "regarding that kidnapping case…"

"What I've told you is true, Miss Borgia. Whatever that other fella says is a lie." He hated how his tactics were called into question lately. Even his partner, with a reputation for a hot-headed temper back in the day, cautioned him of it.

The young woman gave him a puzzled look. "I was just going to say that your testimony will be needed tomorrow, not..."

"Oh, my apologies," Joe said, meaning it. "I'm trying to fight off one of 'those kinda days,' if you know what I mean."

He loved it when she smiled--a ray of hope on gray days of doubt.

Alex slowly made her way to where Jack was standing. "Well, if there's anything I can do to help in your fight…"

"I'll keep the invitation in mind," Joe said. "I just might give you a call later." As he watched her walk away with a man he knew was his own age, Joe knew exactly what he had in mind.

--

Alex looked up and saw Jack at her door.

"This message was mixed in with mine," he told her, handing her a pink slip. "Sorry."

She saw a bittersweet expression on his face, curious to the reason why. Glancing at the note that Helen, the secretary, had scribbled down, Alex saw why. "Don't be," she said, seeing the second reason for his apology - her third date with Leo cancelled, again. "Leo's kinda boring anyway."

Truth be told, she had forgotten to call the guy back so she could cancel the date, given the whirlwind of appointments, investigations and phone calls.

"Want to get something to eat or are you going to do something sensible for once and go home at a decent hour?" Jack asked.

"Is that your way of escorting me out to see that I choose the latter, Jack?"

He shrugged. "Guilty. I'm supposed to catch up with someone at the theatre and I'm trying to stall, emphasis on the word 'trying.'"

Alex chuckled. "Is it the play or the date you're objecting to?

"Both? Danielle chose it, so I know I'm supposed to suffer. What this is payback for, I don't know." He sighed. "However, knowing you'll have a decent evening will put my mind at ease, somewhat."

"You're not going to let Fontana's remark get to you, are you, Jack?" she asked, already aware of the answer.

"Of course not. Are you?" he countered.

Instead of answering, she grabbed her coat and purse, and prepared to leave with him.